Inelastic Behaviour and Strength of Steel Beam-Columns with Applied Torsion

Abstract

Abstract: This dissertation presents the outcome of an experimental and theoretical study o f the inelastic behavior and strength of steel beam-columns with applied torsion. Although the international steel design specifications contain interaction relations for biaxially loaded beam-columns, the influence of applied torsion on such members has been completely ignored in the past. A series of hollow square section steel members are tested using an apparatus specially designed to apply torsion in the presence of an axial load and biaxial bending. The theoretical analysis involves formulation of a system of materially nonlinear differential equations and their solution based on a finite integral formulation. The predicted member response agreed quite well with the experiments. A set of new yield limit and strength interaction expressions are then developed which include the influence of applied torsion. In addition, beam-column interaction relations used in Australia, Canada, China, Great Britain, Japan, Russia, the U.S. and Eurocode are modified to account for applied torsion. Finally, this dissertation presents new load-moment-torsion interaction relations for possible adoption in the international steel design specifications.